Texas Instruments (TI) DLP has unveiled a multitouch technology prototype capable of turning any surface into a fully interactive touch screen for multiple users, according to the company.

The new technology, which debuted at the InfoComm 2013 conference taking place this week in Orlando, FL, is designed to help educators create shared interactive experiences in the classroom. With DLP multitouch technology, teachers will be able to project a graphical display onto any surface, such as a whiteboard or wall, and then students can "touch" the projection to interact and manipulate it. A YouTube video demonstrating the technology shows a group of people working together to color a picture in a projected graphics application.

Key features of the multitouch technology include:

Any-format 3D compatibility;

Solid state illumination; and

High-contrast 1080p data projectors.

The solution registers up to 20 points of touch on any surface, "and from a technical standpoint, there's no reason we can't move well beyond," said Roger Carver, manager of DLP Front Projection, in a prepared statement.

"It's no longer enough to be able to simply view content, consumers expect to interact with their technology in a seamless way," said Carver. According to TI DLP, global sales of interactive projectors more than tripled between 2010 and 2012, and "schools are looking for a way to replicate the traditional chalk or whiteboard shared-learning experience with technology." The DLP multitouch technology will let groups of students work together on a screen as big as an entire wall.

According to a news release from TI DLP, "manufacturers such as Hitachi, NEC, Panasonic, and Ricoh have been adding DLP technology to their existing product lines to leverage DLP innovations," suggesting that those manufacturers may offer the DLP multitouch technology in the future.

About the Author

Leila Meyer is a technology writer based in British Columbia. She can be reached at leilameyer@gmail.com.